Fred Armisen's Vegan Tacos, Oinkster's Burger Week Throwdown, and More A.M. Intel

Taco Maria expands

According to the OC Weekly, Taco Maria in Orange County is expanding. No, they're not branching out into a whole new location — they're just adding prep and storage space, which should allow them to expand their wine list and add true desserts. The restaurant reopens tonight.

Oinkster Burger Week is back

The Oinkster’s Burger Week returns on Monday, so get ready to stuff your faces. The impossibly popular annual event now takes place at both the Hollywood and Eagle Rock locations, and will include a nod to LA’s greatest meat creations. Monday is the Oinki-Dog (a play on Oki-Dog), with all beef dogs wrapped in pastrami, chili, and a tortilla; Tuesday is the Apple Fantastic, complete with hickory sauce. Catch ‘em all and you’ll earn status as a Burger Champ, and earn yourself a t-shirt to boot.

Dinner in the Sky lands in LA

Ever felt like dining in the round from 15 stories above the ground? Not many have that specific request, but should you be in the precious minority the incoming Dinner in the Sky is for you. TimeOut LA says the gravity-defying dinner will come to LA Center Studios in July, and tickets start at $399.

Fred Armisen wants to make your next taco

Portlandia lead and longtime SNL player Fred Armisen has cooked up a taco for HomeState to run all month long. The vegan creation is called the Emo's, and proceeds from the same will go to support the Silverlake Conservatory.

We partnered with HomeState regular and music lover Fred Armisen to create The Emo's, named after Austin's legendary music venue. The Breakfast Taco is refried black beans, pico de gallo, cabbage slaw, pickled red onion, on a corn tortilla (VEGAN) and available thru the month of June. Proceeds go to support need-based scholarships at @silverlake_conservatory AND @sordociego will DJ this Sunday from 12-3pm to support the launch of The Emo's! #ilovebreakfasttacos #homestatebandtaco #vegantaco

A photo posted by HomeState (@homestate) on Jun 1, 2016 at 8:26am PDT

Otium supports the (RED) campaign

Downtown’s Otium is teaming up with the folks behind AIDS awareness campaign (RED) for a big dinner on June 4. The $100 family-style meal takes place at the chef’s table, kicks off at 6 p.m., and will include wine pairings.

Artisan market and restaurant space set to clog York Boulevard

Though a loose term to say the least, 'artisan' is now being bandied about quite a bit in Highland Park thanks to an influx of new one-off shops and restaurant spaces. The latest could well be coming to York Boulevard, says The Eastsider, as a long commercial building submitted plans with the city to turn a vintage store into a marketplace and restaurant hub, complete with alcohol. Don't worry, it'll take some time to get there.

Waiter races at Taste of the Nation

One of the best culinary events in town, Taste of the Nation, returns this weekend to Culver City — and with it come the waiter races. Yep, real staff members from restaurants in LA will actually footrace while carrying glasses of wine, and there are competitors from Union, Guerrilla Tacos, and more.

A beer garden grows in Venice

Newcomer Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop is debuting their summer beer garden today, as part of the First Friday celebration on Abbot Kinney. They’ve partnered up with Golden Road, too, doing a special Greenleaf IPA for the event. Beers run $5, burgers are the same, and the party runs 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.